Seeking Advice

Me,

Are you using layouts for each different set for electrical, HVAC, etc.?

W. Kirk Crawford
Rochester Hills, Michigan

 

OLD-CADaver,
<Snip>
Evry time the multiple tab discussion comes up, someone talks about creating a mess. I just don't understand. We use multiple tabs
all the time, and have since the capability was presented and none of our files are in a "mess".
<Snip>

Now why can't I sell this idea to the rest of the group?

W. Kirk Crawford
Rochester Hills, Michigan

 

I'm still wondering what "mess" everyone keeps talking about??

 

You know, "THE MESS". sheeesh O.C.

 

I'm still wondering what "mess" everyone keeps talking about??

All the extra layers and entitities that someone who needs to xref your drawings will have to sort through.

If nobody xrefs your files, then it makes no difference what you want to do. On the other hand, if someone does need to
xref your drawings, the cleaner the better.

 

I'm still wondering what "mess" everyone keeps talking about??<

<<All the extra layers and entitities that someone who needs to xref your drawings will have to sort through.>>

What does that have to do with multiple tabs? If you're annotating in MS those layers will be there whether they are separate files or multiple tabs in one file.


<<If nobody xrefs your files, then it makes no difference what you want to do. On the other hand, if someone does need to xref your drawings, the cleaner the better. >>

Granted, the cleaner the better, but that's an argument for annotation in PS, not against multiple layout tabs.

 

What does that have to do with multiple tabs?

In my experience, multiple tabs mean that everything, including the kitchen sink, is piled on top of each other in the
model. Then, the perpetrator freezes select layers in each viewport to get what he wants to show on each tab.

 

In my experience, multiple tabs mean that everything, including the kitchen sink, is piled on top of each other in the model. Then, the perpetrator freezes select layers in each viewport to get what he wants to show on each tab.>>

Again, that is an argument FOR annotation in PS, not against multiple tabs. That information is required to reside somewhere, either multiple tabs or multiple files, so there is no reduction in effort and the "mess" stays the same, just spread out and more difficult to control.

There is no "mess" associated with multiple tabs, unless you have a messy designer, but that too is not a problem with multiple tabs.

 

Sigh, again I have to agree w/ O.C. How boring. It's not so much an issue
of the multiple tabs in my opinion, or even the amount of info. that resides
in the model as it is how that information is setup. You wouldn't want to
create the whole dang set of drawings from Arch to Civil to Interiors, etc.
in one drawing file, but you can group disciplines and related items if you
plan a little bit before you jump in. For the mult. tabs to work
efficiently, you've got to have the drawing organized all the way from layer
naming on text (be it callouts, notes, whatever). Then it is a relatively
simple matter when xrefing that drawing to turn of the layer or group of
layers that don't pertain to what you are trying to accomplish in your
particular drawing.
designer, but that too is not a problem with multiple tabs.<<

he he. gotcha there. I've got some legacy drawings floating around from
years back from 'messy designers' that make you want to cry. All the tabs
in the world can't help you if everything is only on two layers! What a
pain in !@#$. Maybe CAD needs a 'Color Isolate' option. I can see that
helping.

--
John Michalik
Drafting and Design
LDD/CAD Development & Standards

kitchen sink, is piled on top of each other in the model. Then, the
perpetrator freezes select layers in each viewport to get what he wants to
show on each tab.>>

tabs. That information is required to reside somewhere, either multiple
tabs or multiple files, so there is no reduction in effort and the "mess"
stays the same, just spread out and more difficult to control.

designer, but that too is not a problem with multiple tabs.

 

<<Sigh, again I have to agree w/ O.C. >>

Don't let that get around, it could ruin your reputation.


<<You wouldn't want to create the whole dang set of drawings from Arch to Civil to Interiors, etc. in one drawing file, but you can group disciplines and related items if you plan a little bit before you jump in.>>

Exactly.


<<Then it is a relatively simple matter when xrefing that drawing to turn of the layer or group of layers that don't pertain to what you are trying to accomplish in your particular drawing. >>

And that is made even easier with extensive, mandatory standards, that have been "built-in" to all the menus and lisp functions. A little planning goes a long way.


<<I've got some legacy drawings floating around from
years back from 'messy designers' that make you want to cry.>>

We've had some of those too, but I've been Cad Manager here for long enough (12 years) to "solve" those problems in one way or another.